Starbucks follows Chick-fil-A's lead and delivers major news in the U.S.

In many cities across the United States, it's easy to notice the dominance of large chains. Small family businesses have closed or have been absorbed by giants. The pandemic accelerated this process and completely changed the commercial landscape up to the present day.

Now, Starbucks announces a move to further consolidate its position. The coffee chain is launching a special line of drinks for the summer, following the strategy of its competitors. On July 8, three new Frappuccinos arrived with a layer of flavored cold foam called "Strato," available only for a limited time.

Starbucks bets on strengthening its presence

The company isn't unfamiliar with the tough competition in the sector. Although it has more than 200 locations just in Manhattan, where millions of tourists and workers pass through each year, it can't rest on its laurels. Starbucks has seen how brands like Chick-fil-A and Wendy's take advantage of the summer to attract customers with sweet and eye-catching new products.

Chick-fil-A, for example, has bet on peach drinks for the season. Wendy's isn't far behind and has launched the new Frosty Swirls with sweet syrups. Faced with this competition, Starbucks is strengthening its offerings to keep its image as the reliable and approachable brand that its customers know.

The new "Strato" from Starbucks aims to stand out with a layer of cold foam with flavors, according to The Street. Consumers will be able to choose between Salted Caramel Mocha, Strawberry Matcha, or Brown Sugar. The idea is to replace the classic whipped cream and give an innovative twist to the popular Frappuccinos.

An efficient business model

The success of Starbucks is based on convenience and customer trust. In its locations, consumers know what to expect. Its massive expansion strategy may seem costly or redundant, but it proves effective by ensuring a presence in almost every part of the city.

If one location is full, it's likely to find another just a few blocks away. This model ensures capturing the extra demand that would arise in other smaller coffee shops. For many consumers, Starbucks becomes the easiest and most reliable option.

However, the chain has had to face certain challenges after the pandemic. The return of customers to offices caused unexpected demand. At the same time, there were issues with staff turnover. To solve this, Starbucks has invested in its Siren system, which speeds up the preparation of complicated drinks, although these changes take time to implement.

With its new Strato Frappuccinos already in stores, Starbucks seeks to attract its most loyal audience again. It also wants to win over those looking for something different for the summer. The brand is betting on strengthening its leadership in the competitive market for cold and sweet drinks in the United States.